Pawar v Chavan in MCA elections?

If everything goes according to plans, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) elections might see a direct contest between current chief minister, Prithviraj Chavan and the former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Sharad Pawar.

Mazgoan Cricket Club has nominated Mr. Chavan as its representative in the MCA, thereby fulfilling the pre-requisite required to contest the presidential election. According to sources, Mr. Pawar has also indicated his willingness to contest for the post.

"Prithviraj Chavan has filed his representation," an MCA source told PTI. However it is not yet confirmed if Mr. Chavan will indeed take the plunge and contest the elections which will be held on October 18th. According to rules, it is necessary for a candidate to represent a club affiliated to the MCA in order to contest the elections.

The last date for filing the nomination is October 11th. The papers would be scrutinized on the 12th and withdrawals if any, would take place on 15th.

The candidates, whose names have been doing rounds for the presidency are - former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar and Pawar, who has held the post in the past. Union Minister Pawar, a former President of BCCI and also ICC, has shown interest in contesting the election, according to incumbent MCA President Ravi Savant. "He (Pawar) has declared he will be contesting the election. Anybody can contest if he has got proper representation of a club, and he has got it. Recently, he changed his address, because of the technical objection raised last time. He has expressed his wish to me and it is quite likely that he will contest," Savant had earlier said.